The Real Italian Job: James Martin's Mille Miglia
Discussion
DJC said:
OK, I watched it first time around and then again tonight and I still dont get how some of you think he is a tosser. He looks and sounds pretty normal for me. Yes he has OCD, but so what.
Agreed. I spoke to him at Goodwood a couple of years back and he seemed like a pretty good bloke to be honest. Not up himself and just really excited to be there and driving some tasty machinery. He's also worked bloody hard for every penny (read his auto biography) so fair play to him.
Ps. In my defence my Mum gave me his book and told me it was mainly about cars, so I had to read it
Watched this the first time around and to be honest, I felt more sorry for the co driver and the car than James Martin.
Last time I had a go at him (when he boasted about running cyclists off the road) I got into trouble, as apparently anyone who likes cars is untouchable, so I'll keep my opinions of the guy to myself.
Last time I had a go at him (when he boasted about running cyclists off the road) I got into trouble, as apparently anyone who likes cars is untouchable, so I'll keep my opinions of the guy to myself.
DJC said:
Er...isnt one of the common themes of ph banter about a loathing of cyclists? "Lycra clad terrorist" is a phrase used many a time on here. I dont have any great hate against them personally, but you are going to be in a minority around ph if you want to start defending them.
The Pedal Powered forum is pretty busy and plenty of petrol heads ride bikes - the two are not mutually exclusive.I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't see the article - was about him thinking the Tesla was great because he used it to sneak up on some cyclists and scared them off the road - sounds like a grade A prick to me - petrolhead or not.
DJC said:
To be fair Ewan, I dont think he gunned it that much, you certainly cant do too much off the ramp around Brescia and then he was running on limited revs.
Personally speaking Id have probably run it for 500 miles gently before even going on the event, but thats me.
He had no time to do that Personally speaking Id have probably run it for 500 miles gently before even going on the event, but thats me.
DJC said:
OK, I watched it first time around and then again tonight and I still dont get how some of you think he is a tosser. He looks and sounds pretty normal for me. Yes he has OCD, but so what.
ah its the british way my friend.we couldn't possibly enjoy the fact that the boy's done well and wants to fulfill a life long dream by doing the mille miglia....which is probably similar to what 99% of us would want to do as well. I quite like the guy and good luck to him.
for the record.....couldnt give a s
t about cyclists ! 
zeb said:
we couldn't possibly enjoy the fact that the boy's done well and wants to fulfill a life long dream by doing the mille miglia....which is probably similar to what 99% of us would want to do as well. I quite like the guy and good luck to him.
If he'd treated his "girlfriend" with a bit more respect than he treated his car, then I'd have had a different attitude.Then choosing a co-driver on her race ability, over the fact she know anything about the sort of rally being entered. Oh who just so happened to be a pretty blonde....
Yes he's done well and I'd congratulate him on that. However a bit of a tosser who's done well for himself is still a bit of a tosser...
If I remember correctly, sarah bennett bags (co -driver) has done britcar, GT3's and porsche club championship, so i'm presuming a decent peddler?
mind you...your probably tell me she only got those drives because she's a pretty blond
The british seem incapable these days of congratulating someones succes, were more hung up on how much of a corpulant tosser he is or whether he deserves it or not or whether he's nice to his girlfriend....sheeeesh
...still couldn't give a st about cyclists....
mind you...your probably tell me she only got those drives because she's a pretty blond
The british seem incapable these days of congratulating someones succes, were more hung up on how much of a corpulant tosser he is or whether he deserves it or not or whether he's nice to his girlfriend....sheeeesh
...still couldn't give a s
t about cyclists....zeb said:
If I remember correctly, sarah bennett bags (co -driver) has done britcar, GT3's and porsche club championship, so i'm presuming a decent peddler?
I don't remember many pace notes on those events.... Do you?! That was my point. She was chosen because she could drive circuits fast. But he didn't need someone who could drive. He needed a classic car mechanic who could read maps and do the timing, and not crash when driving. Now I'm not saying she couldn't learn the notes/maps/timing etc. But then one assumes his Mrs also could. Then if I'm spending £600,000+ on a car to do the event. I'd chose someone who's got experience of that style of event.So the message to his Mrs was. You're rubbish. I don't believe you can learn the things this other "random" person can. Really nice message that is. Didn't even see if she could do it. Just dismissed her out of hand.
Then it turns out the other "random" person is a cute blonde, who shares his passion for cars, and who will now get to share his life long dream. At which point suddenly she can be the official photographer...
I wouldn't do that to my other half. Either get rid because she's not what you want. Take her along to do it properly. Or do it with someone experienced and who your OH wouldn't see as a threat.
Munter said:
If he'd treated his "girlfriend" with a bit more respect than he treated his car, then I'd have had a different attitude.
I have to say I agree... She was trying to be enthusiastic and pleased for him. Trying to get close to him and share the experience, understanding how important it is to him. And he was just totally dismissive.I thought I was going to really like him for his MM passion, but he just came across as a real egotist. He's come across the same way in person the few times I've met him too.
Edited by WTFWT on Monday 14th March 19:25
Personally I dont mind the guy - met him once almost socially and came across as an OK guy who seems to honestly believe that he is very lucky but deserves some of it through his sheer hard work!
Which golfer was it that said "isn't it funny how the harder I practice, the luckier I seem to get?" or something similar?
Generally a good bloke but I will admit that he didn't come across as the best human being on the MM show but not many driven people are saints through and through.... especially under undue stress.
Lastly, really felt for him at the end - regardless that some of the blame rested with him I feel for lack of prep and care of the stunning car!
Which golfer was it that said "isn't it funny how the harder I practice, the luckier I seem to get?" or something similar?
Generally a good bloke but I will admit that he didn't come across as the best human being on the MM show but not many driven people are saints through and through.... especially under undue stress.
Lastly, really felt for him at the end - regardless that some of the blame rested with him I feel for lack of prep and care of the stunning car!
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